LA chief recovery officer speaks on pay controversy, doesn't believe mayor lied to him
"I have to move forward so people can make progress in rebuilding their homes, businesses and lives," he said.
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Steve Soboroff, who was chosen to lead the rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, is walking back his recent comment in which he claimed Mayor Karen Bass lied to him.
The Los Angeles Times reported that he spoke about his frustrations over doing the job for free to an alumni group at Harvard-Westlake School last week, saying that he was lied to.
The longtime civic official, businessman and developer had been slated to make $500,000 for 90 days of work, but after his pay was criticized, the mayor's office said Soboroff would forgo his salary.
Soboroff now says he did not think that Bass had lied or intentionally misled him.
"That was not what I feel and not what I meant," he said in an interview.
"I have to move forward so people can make progress in rebuilding their homes, businesses and lives," Soboroff added.
As the wildfire recovery czar, Soboroff has been tasked with working to protect properties and creating a detailed program to rebuild the burn areas.
